The War from a grunts' point of view;
Finalist, 2007 The Great American Song Contest;
Honorable Mention, American Songwriter Magazines' Lyric Contest, Nov/Dec 2006

Lyrics

c 2006 by Rob Frail
Verse 1:
I hate the Shia, the Sunni, too
I hate what this war has reduced me to
I hate my government, I ain't exactly loyal
I'm a killing machine just looking for some oil

I gotta fine girl back at home
we write letters, talk on my cell phone
I just hope when this is all through
I don't end up hating her too

Chorus 1:
Salute me, prosecute me, why not just take my gun and shoot me,
Cause I don't think I'll make it out alive
You gotta help me make it alive,
Forgive me if I don't make it alive
I got no business being alive, alive, alive

Verse 2:
Riding in my tank, I might call an air strike
Some might say that's unsportsman-like
Sometimes I make mistakes, but there's nothing I can do
'cause you gotta kill them before they kill you

OK, so here we are, guarding this pipeline;
when this embed comes up, says he's with Nightline
He asks if were bringing 'em democracy,
I said "you want the answer with or without hypocrisy"

Chorus 2:
Salute us, prosecute us, or just take our guns and shoot us
Cause I don't think we're gonna make it alive
You gotta help us make it alive,
Forgive us if we don't make it alive
Everyday I wonder why we're alive, alive, alive

Bridge:
Out in the desert, the grains of sand fly,
each one's an enemy that wants me to die
We're bringing democracy & the freedom it allows,
but what good's a vote when they blow up your house?
Why do people always have to say
it's the Hand of God when things go their way?
There's a rocket comin' at you, looks like a direct hit,
and you can see God's fingerprints all over it.

Verse 3:
I'm a killing machine, I'm not supposed to feel, but if you
saw my nightmares, you'd swear they're real.
Those TV ads make it look like fun, but that
stops pretty quick when the blood starts to run

When your out on a patrol,
there are things you just can't control
Sometimes it's live, sometimes it's a dud,
you just pray you don't lose too much blood

After I was hit, I was tended by a nurse
She took me her arms, said it could'a been worse
Sometimes a blessing comes from a curse
Hope had a face just like hers

Chorus 3:
Salute me, prosecute me, but whatever you do, don't let them shoot me
Cause I'm gonna make it out alive
She helped me make it out alive,
We're gonna make it out alive, before we die
Gonna make it out alive, alive
Gonna make it out alive

Verse 1
I wanna free you like a hurricane frees the wind
I wanna lead you back before original sin
I wanna lift you be yond your purgatory
I'm gonna make you my bedtime story

Chorus 1
I want to see you with the lights on, with the lights off, when you wake up, when you lie down
I want to see you with your tears on, with your tears off, with a smiley face or a big frown
I want to see you with your halo on, with your halo off, as a good girl or without a prayer
I want to see you on your best day on your worst night if you feel down, I don't care

Verse 1
I wanna need you like I never needed someone before
I wanna lead you where we've never ever been before
I've got you bad getting worse yet I can't refuse
I've never had a verse as po etic as you

Chorus 2
I want to see you with the lights on, with the lights off, as a brunette, as a carrot top
I want to see you with your halo on, with your halo off, in your high heels or your flip-flops
I'm gonna make you your own ring tone a sing-song, so when you call my fone I'm gonna meltdown

Breakdown

Chorus 3
I want to see you with your groove on with your groove off, put a move on, take a load off,
I want to see you put a show on, be a show off with your smile on with your smile off
I want to see you with the lights on, with the lights off, with your clothes on, & your clothes off

What Did I Miss? is a musical `docudrama' based on the true story of an Iraqi man who lived inside the wall of his parents' home for 21 years to escape Saddam Hussein. When the US invaded, he emerged. What would such a guy have to say? Simultaneously funn

Story Behind the Song

Ripped from the Daily News, June 6, 2003

Lyrics

Verse 1
I am Jawad Amir, I'm here to testify I spoke against Saddam, so he said I must die.
I fled to my parents, and after writing my will, I climbed into a wall near the window sill.
It's been 21 years living inside my wall, hoping for the day that Saddam would fall.
The US invaded and the Guard all ran; my legs are a little stiff, but here I am.
I'm feeling OK, but answer me this:

Chorus 1
What did I miss? Nothing much: People still get born, and then they get old,
while OJs' search for the killers has grown pretty cold.
What did I miss? Nothing much: Madonna, Brittany, Yanni, Cher, The Smiths, & The Cure,
Techno, Rap, New Age, & The Stones 'last' tour.
What did I miss? Nothing much: the Macarena, and Double Dutch,
Nothing much, nothing much, nothing much, nothing much.

Verse 2
You'd think that living in a wall is a curse, but it beats an Iraqi prison (or even worse).
I fixed it up with curtains and some building caulk; if my neighbors' couldn't see me, then no one could talk.
You'd think there's not much freedom with 2 1/2 feet, but I had my Koran and something to eat.
Some people call me the Ann Frank of Iraq; I'm just glad they didn't bomb my block.
I'm feeling OK, but answer me this:

Chorus 2
What did I miss? Nothing much: a few presidents, and maybe a pope, they fixed the Hubble telescope.
What did I miss? Nothing much: the Yankees won it 4 years in a row, but the subway series was a no-go.
What did I miss? Nothing much: they got these computers and gadgets and such,
Nothing much, nothing much, nothing much, nothing much.

Chorus 3
What did I miss? Much too much: some dissidents smashed, some Kurds were gassed.
What did I miss? Much too much: sorry to say some dear friends have passed.
What did I miss? Much too much: your little baby girl became a doctor last year.
What did I miss? Much too much: your best friend Ahmad has disappeared.
What did I miss? Much too much: they're just so many with whom we've lost touch.
It's just too much, it's just too much, it's much too much, it's much too much.

The pervasive perversion of the media & government by the corporate pimps.
Awards:
8/31/08 Hon. Mention
The Billboard World Song Contest
2/17/08 Top 30
Durango Song Contest 2008
6/30/07 4th Place
11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest

Story Behind the Song

The US likes to hold itself above all other governments as a model for Democracy, with voting rights, free speech, etc.
The truth is more sinister.
In about 2004, I learned that our government was making propaganda films can called Video News Releases (VNRs),
disguised as real news, complete with fake reporters, but embedded into broadcasts on real TV stations.
Ironically, I learned of this on a TV news show (something I rarely watch).
Here's another VNR that hyped the First Gulf War.
But it turns out that government propaganda and manipulation of opinion on a grand scale are nothing new.
In a 1941 declassified memo, OSS (later CIA) media master Frank Wizner bragged about how his group could 'play the mighty Wurlitzer' of the press (print & radio back then). In fact, you should read all about it in a book just published:
The Mighty Wurlitzer: How the CIA Played America.
With the election of Barack Obama, I'm gonna ajdust the lyrics in the third Chorus to talk about the criminal GOP purging of legitimate voters, the hacking of voting machines, maybe a bit about the state of healthcare.
As I say, Get Informed (read MediaMatters, FAIR).

Lyrics

Now the White House is makin news videos, just to make sure I know what to know
About legislation that affects nation, Let 'em think for me, don't disturb my vegetation

Cause I've got 500 channels of hi-def TV, in my so-called democracy
Dis-information in crystal clarity in my so-called democracy
The rise of American Idiocy in my so-called democracy
Home of the neo-con consent factory in my so-called democracy

Where the 4th estate is bought by the 2nd, I'm sure this is just what The Framers had reckoned
Where town hall meetings with the president are screened for the right kind of sycophant

If the White House needs to pay the press, well, they're only looking out for my best
If the NYPD must suppress protest, well, they're only looking out for my best
And if rich folk are feeling oppressed let's give 'em more tax breaks, cause that's what's best
And if they need to draft us for their next conquest, well, they're only looking out for our best
Looking out for our best, can't you see just don't call it democracy

Where White House reporting is just stenography in my so-called democracy
Cause don't you dare question their policy in my so-called democracy
Let's make some laws in secrecy just don't call it democracy
Let's call it a theo-plutocracy just don't call it democracy

About a time in America when certain people were lynched on a regular basis.

Lyrics

Verse 1
We's behind the barn, after the dance
Mabel & me was enjoying our chance
When a pickup pulled up from out of the black
Trouble had arrived, all these hoods in back
They said 'yous get in & make it quick'
With their shotguns aimed, my heart forgot to tick

Verse 2
They drove us to the river, and what did we see
A dozen folk swingin' from a bunch of oak trees
Poor Mabel & me didn't get the word
That some dumb fool stole Jackson's bird
Such a lotta fuss for a silly ol' hen
We used to mind their chill'un, I remember when

Verse 3
You complain you work so hard for a lousy check
Well, you don't know trouble til a rope's around your neck
But when they turned their backs at the thunder crack
I broke for the woods, and didn't look back
Caught a glimpse of Mabel as I rushed by
She had a noose for a necklace and a river in her eyes

Bridge
Daddy, why's a man gotta where a hood? Let's just say he's up to no good
Daddy, why's a man gotta ride at night? He hates hisself so much, he's trying to feel right
Daddy, why's a man hanging from a tree? Why that's no man, that's an angel set free

Verse 4
You've heard about the devil and the deep blue see
That's Sunday mornin' bisquits, compared to me
Mabel in the tree, swinging in the tree
Oh dear Lordy, how I wished it was me
Daddy, don't be sad, dry your tears
Mama forives you, she wispered in my ears
Mama forives you, she wispered in my ears

Chorus 4
1 hood, 2 hood, 3 hood, 4 The bible says to love your brother next door
5 hood, 6 hood, 7 hood, 8 How do you love your brother when there's so much hate?
How do you love when there's so much hate?
Dear Lord, how do you love when there's so much hate?

I'm not a ladys' man, my options are few
There's someone for everyone, too bad it wasn't you
Uptown: I bought a round
Midtown: we fooled around
Downtown: I fell in love
BringDown: you said let's be friends

It happens every time I start the mating waltz
The love arrow flies but Cupids' aim is false
He always misses her while my heart is struck
I'm Cupids' sitting duck
This is why life sucks
This is why life sucks

I'm not a ladys' man, that you can see,
There's someone for everyone, I hope that works for me
Uptown: you're in the arms of another
Midtown: we avoid each other
Downtown: I'm still in love
BringDown: we're still just 'friends'

It happens every time I start the mating waltz
The love arrow flies but Cupids' aim is false
He always misses her while my heart is struck
I'm Cupids' sitting duck
This is why life sucks
This is why life sucks

Was it true love or false hope?
I can't tell I can't cope
My angel without wings
moved on to better things
No grand love, just a fling
I was just her plaything
My greatest of fears: she's jerking my tears

It happens every time I start the mating waltz
The love arrow flies but Cupids' aim is false
He always misses her while my heart is struck
I'm Cupids' sitting duck
This is why life sucks this is why life sucks

She was a Chinese waitress in a Greek restaurant, She asked me in English what did I want...

Lyrics

Verse 1
She was a Chinese waitress in a Greek restaurant She asked me in English what did I want?
I ordered the squid, with extra ink She just wrote it down, didn't even blink
All the other waiters got out of her way as she brought my food with her best sashay
When I thanked her, she gave a certain smile That sent me to heaven just a little while

Chorus 1
She's my Asian Liaison, in 3 course Harmony Like Yoko Ono with no the cacaphony
She's my Asian Liaison, my Greek Gastric Guide Somehow she tickles my Wild Side
Her English is as broken as a baby chix shell But if I understood her, it would break the spell
But if I understood her, it would break the spell

Verse 2
She was a Chinese waitress in a Greek restaurant She asked me in English what did I want?
I ordered fried octopus, with extra arms She just wrote it down, that's one of her charms
Before I knew it, I thought of her at work and at home at night, like a lovesick jerk
I asked for her number, but I think she miscontrued She brought me the menu for takeout food

Chorus 2
She serves me every Monday, she serves me in style She's my Asian Liaison with a ticklish smile
Her Chinese is perfect, her Greek is pretty good Her English is usually misunderstood
But the way she smiles when she brings my plate, Oh, I love the way we communicate
She gives a little bow when she brings the check I tip a little more for that, what the heck
I tip a little more for that, what the heck

Verse 3
Then one day a substitute She spoke perfect English, was very cute
Even wore a flowered tag with her name But somehow 'Evelyn' just wasn't the same
The moral of the story, if you don't already know is Restaurants come, restaurants go
But the one where she works, I've made it a my shrine I go there to worship her, not so much to dine

Chorus 3
Where's my Asian Liaison, I need my Harmony I can't eat without her, send her back to me
Without her I'm useless, I can't sleep at night I'm still looking for my appetite
She taught me how to handle Souvlaki sandwich She taught me to smile in a foreign language
She's my Asian Liaison, my Greek Comedy Like Yoko Ono with no the cacaphony
Her Greek is pretty good, but her English is broken Such a lotta love left unspoken
Let's all feel the love left unspoken Let's all speak the love left unspoken

Verse 1
The end is near, finals are here, please stop my heart from pounding
I'd rather be with you, before the night is thru, than learn about decimal rounding
I know you're alone, so I reach for the phone, cause I've been stuck on this page for hours
The sound of your voice, an irresistible choice; as if you had magical powers

Pre Chorus 1
Study is a must, but like a feather on a gust, my attention is gone for now
Work is good, and I know I should, but it's time to un-furrow my brow

Verse 2
Here at the beach, the seagulls screach, as they dive bomb for my stash
A bag of cheese doodles, some Raman noodles, let's see if we can make 'em crash
Wait, my boss is calling, I can't be stalling, he so wants me there right now
1 minute late, he gets irate, have you seen a guy give birth to a cow?

Pre Chorus 2
You said 'stay some more, what's a day like this for,' and I gotta admit it was fun
First temptation, then damnation, now my cashier career is done

Chorus 2
Oh, Twist my arm, what's the harm, let's listen to our inner child
Twist my arm, what's the harm, maybe let the little guy run wild
Twist my arm, baby, what's the harm, they say you gotta sieze the day
I had some doubt, but your logic wore me out, some how I now see it your way

Pre Chorus 3
Responsibilities are my enemies, maybe someday we can be friends
Until that day it's sad to say we'll be fighting to the bitter end

Chorus 3
Cause when you twist my arm, and use your charm, my resistance just melts away
I'm thinkin' just this once; OK, just this twice, I can do it on another day,
You twisted my arm, now it's doin' us harm, there's gotta be a price to pay
Why did you twist my arm, I'll tell ya what's the harm, now that other day's today,
Now that other day's today

Verse 1:
I never really meant it til I met you, but "I love you" never rang so true
And when you said it back, my heart was set free you're my queen, I'm your king, feels like destiny
We got cold-cocked, shell-shocked by love you see it's the royal you and the royal me

Chorus 1:
I followed you to the end of the earth then we fell into heaven, as our love gave birth
We'll keep each other young as we grow old as we watch each others' hearts unfold
In love, in love, in love, in love for all to see It's the royal we, it's the royal we

Verse 2:
I put you on a pedestal that reaches the sky then I climbed all night 'til I was at your side
The stars are much brighter from this view do you think they'd be missed if I borrowed a few?
to make you a crown and a scepter, too cause it's the royal me and the royal you

Chorus 2:
I ran around the sun and collected some rays we'll use them up on our rainy days
It seems our life together was foretold as a story of love that never gets old
Watch our love surf the curl of destiny It's the royal we, it's the royal we

Bridge:
We all make mistakes no matter how strong the love
it's how we deal with it when push comes to shove
and when we make a royal mess I know, I know, I know we're trying our best
I know we may make a royal mess still in love, in love, in love nonetheless

Verse 3:
Now after all these years of looking at you "I love you" still never felt so true
You say it's nearly all a dream come true well, for someone like you, it's the least I could do
The stars are just as bright as the day we met they say they'll dim, but it hasn't happened yet
We're still cold-cocked, shell-shocked by love you see it's the royal you and the royal me

Chorus 3:
I followed you to the end of the earth then we fell into heaven, as our love gave birth
Seems we'll be together 'till the end of time then I'll turn back the clock 'til we're in our prime
In love, in love, in love, it was meant to be It's the royal we, it's the royal we

I had my gun, my knife, my first-aid kit
I was a soldier, a fighter, issued by my government
When I killed my first man, it hurt me just a bit
It was long ago, but it still tears me apart
So I reach for my spoon and my turniquette
But it does no good for my bleeding heart
My bleeding heart, my bleeding heart, my bleeding heart

Trailer park mom gives birth in the gutter
Back home in time to make the twins a Fluffer-Nutter
Welfare board says they may have to cut her
They studied it well with tables and charts
They concluded they need more guns, less butter
But I was one clerk with a bleeding heart
A bleeding heart, a bleeding heart, a bleeding heart

Let's all go fishing in the river of thought
Don't need a license for whatever you've caught
Bring it back to your loved ones, so that they may be taught
Let's bleed a little easier, so it's not all for naught

As a Nazi officer, I must follow my orders
It'll mean my own death if I defy headquarters
But, after a while, you get tired of the slaughters
I couldn't hate my life more, so before I depart
Let me save just this one mother and her daughters
Then maybe that'll stop my bleeding heart
My bleeding heart, my bleeding heart, my bleeding heart

The ink on the pink slip started bleeding in a drop of rain,
If I catch the drop before it hits the ground, maybe that'll hold off the pain
19 years on the assembly line, a line that's come to an end
The rumors said it was coming, but sometimes you need to pretend
As of today, I'm living in yesterday, and I'm fightin' back the fear
I'm on the other side of somehow, somewhere between nowhere & here

Betty, she took it well, at least that's what she showed
She said 'by the way, I gave the bank all our money, was exactly what we owed'
They offered me a job at the new place, said we'll pay you to pack up & go
but at half the wages; and I don't speak the language, down there in Mexico
And the kids used to ask for toys & such, but they stopped that suddenly
I'm on the other side of somehow, a workin-man wannabe

That giant sucking sound, the sound we were warned about
Is the sound of thousands of lives in the midst of a desperate shout
Hey, America, we had a deal, you can't just walk on out
We're on the other side of somehow, in a country that's cashed us out

It's a Corporation vacuum, suckin up lives like so much dust
Guess they gotta do what we all gotta do, to keep from going bust
But when the bag gets full, they just throw it all away, that's our factory legacy
You see, America, for all her greatness, never cleans up gracefully
And when we pass our friends in the street, they stop talking suddenly
I'm on the wrong side of somehow, but it's OK to look at me

And though our rose is faded, you still look at me lovingly,
Thru tears & fears & years of faith, thru eyes of resiliancy
Then I know life is meant for living beyond its warranty
And I won't be a statistic of a dying industry
And I'm lying on my back awake at night, and it hit me suddenly
I'm on the other side of somehow now, but it's only temporarily
I'm on the other side of somehow, and somehow is closer to me

Verse
I feel the dawn light streaming thru the crack in the blinds
I smell the coffee streaming thru the door to wake our sleepy minds
I roll over to face you, your pillows in a pile
but it's not enough to hide your morning smile

Verse
The workday is callin us uptown, the alarm clock is in it's count down
Not so fast, come an lay back down, don't bother with your nightgown
the workday world will have to wait a while, so we can greet the day in style
Gimme, gimme some more of that morning smile

Bridge
Guess last night got pretty wild,
Or did you dream Elmer Fudd had Bugs on trial
Or were you counting sheep through a turnstile?
Just how do you account for that morning smile?

Verse
Let's turn the clock ahead til it's Saturday, then we'll have more time to play
Not so fast, come an lay back down, don't bother with your nightgown
I'm reaching for my cell phone, but don't get your pretty head all riled
I just wanna take a picture of that morning
Hit the snooze again, then climb on top for a while
So that I can put my lips on your morning smile